Mutualism- A beneficial symbiosis… between sea and land, humans and the natural environment, animal and plant forms, making and sharing my practice with others, relationships between makers, between the techniques of glass casting and pate de verre.
The aim of this Arts Council of Wales funded project, is to be able to create more intricate and ambitious works based on the plant forms I love, also combining marine animal features. An ongoing journey of learning as well as an opportunity to make and exhibit new work.
My inspiration has always been plant life- cryptogamic plants such as lichen, moss, algae, fungi. But I am also interested in using the structures and textures of marine creatures and invertebrates such as sea urchins, sea stars, jellyfish, sea anemones and coral. I will be investigating and combining qualities of these plants and animal organisms in sculptural works. Continuing with the development of combining found natural elements and other materials.
My work is about my connection to nature, the spirituality I find in it, the sense of place. A love of this land I call home, the natural environments I have grown up around, chosen to spend my life alongside. Of Wales and its bounty of beauty, diversity and wonder.
Partners- Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw, Ruthin Craft Centre, Studio Made, Makers Guild Wales, Liverpool Museums, The Bluecoat Display Centre The World Museum- Liverpool, Ocean Sciences Dept- Bangor University, National Resources Wales, Fiaz Elson, Angela Thwaites. .
Artist in Residence- Ruthin Craft Centre -ACW Large Grant Mutualism project, Jan-Feb 2023
ruthincraftcentre.org.uk/residencies-information/verity-pulford/
Away from other people, I seek and find solace, meaning and spirituality. Wandering the winding coastal paths discovering shoreline plants, shells, small glimmering streams. Turns in the narrow track showing me new wonders. Breaks in the clouds allowing the bright sunlight through. The silver sea, an undulating creature, so vast and reflective. Walking the shoreline, waves lapping. The soft strong sound making the experience all consuming. Drowning out the noise of the rest of the world. Taking in the wonder, the magic. I am quiet, intrigued. Parts of creatures, skeletons, discarded shells- worn into holes. Smells full of richness and life. Piles of decaying washed up treasures. Natural and man-made detritus. On my knees, down low, hands searching, exploring, sorting and selecting. Observing intently, touching and probing. Pools of sea water full of dark life. Wandering with no plan, yet hope to discover. Curious. Lost in a strange world, yet at home. A kind of meditation. Where nothing else occurs to me, a numbing. Then the forest-rich smelling soil- deep and fertile. Full of nutrition, life, connections, magic. Hidden creatures, organisms. Interdependent, exchanging. The abundance of plant forms. The shades of green are uncountable. I lie down, my hair in the soil and leaves, sensual, content. I turn my head and notice the small fungi, exquisite macro worlds, moss flowers, lichen- grey green. The trees above sheltering me, dappled light on my face. Let me lie here forever, enclosed, quiet, moss as my bed, safe from the outside world.
In these places, I can rest at last. My othered and sensitive soul at peace. Here I belong. Without judgement or need to explain myself, at peace.
Fascinating life, from the landscape and sky to the macro, to the micro to the origin of it all. I make work which tells my story of these experiences, of these places. I feel the need to communicate it, to share, to try to capture some of the beauty and magic I find.
